Some musings on the business side of things…

I’ve been asking singers and actors their thoughts on the resumé: singers from all angles of the business. I have my thoughts, my observations, but I would love YOUR input into this.

Why a resumé? What story does it tell?

You see, we ARE story tellers. Shouldn’t we be allowed to reveal the story we want to reveal in the resumé? Is the resumé in its current form relevant at all? What needs to change?

If we are story tellers, no matter the genre, if we are creatives, no matter the genre, then why can’t the resumé reflect that? Why must it be so stark, so sterile, so non-personal? Frankly, so BLAH. So “lather, rinse, repeat”.

Yes, it probably should have your name, your contact info (not your literal address please!!), your voice type generically, your website/social handles, but that is enough initially, isn’t it?

What’s the point of your vocal range if your voice type is there? That assumes more knowledge from the other side of the table. If they need to know if you have a high C they could ask, couldn’t they? Or if your repertoire suggests high notes, shouldn’t that mean enough? Your range doesn’t indicate where your voice is most comfortable, so I am not sure helpful that actually is…(I’ve been known to say that my range is a grunt to a squeak, but I digress…)

What about height? Possibly I guess. The dreaded weight? I highly disagree with this, with no exceptions. Weight is irrelevant. Weight isn’t size. It doesn’t tell you anything. Maybe a dancer who needs to be lifted? But does that need to be there immediately? Could that not be asked later once their craft is revealed?

What about size, as in clothing size? I asked this on my FB Studio Page and everybody concurred: NO. No weight, no dress size, no suit size. They see you when you walk in. If they need to know your measurements, that would be later on in the audition process when you are actually getting fitted for costumes.

Eye color? Why? Hair color? Does it matter? I mean, WIGS.

What could ease the staleness of Name/Voice Type/Contact Info?

Font?

A quote that speaks to you or might reveal a bit of your authenticity maybe? It could be a conversation piece in the room too…Play with that one…I’m feeling this.

And what about the stuff that comes after? The work you’ve done? Who you’ve done the work with? Where you’ve done the work?

I got lots of great ideas about this:

Less is more. Clutter is not appreciated.

Too many duplicates of shows is unnecessary. Pick and choose depending on the director/theatre etc.

Too much is too much. Simplify. Think of it like an overview/big picture. We have to be able to get something from it, not just a bunch of stuff with no direction.

Dates (in opera especially) need to go. Who cares if you have gaps? What could that mean? Oh, I don’t know, LIFE MAYBE?! Who cares if there is a gap? Can you bring it in that room in the NOW and show what you do? Why do we have to rely on a piece of paper to validate you to a panel at a table?!

What if there isn’t enough? Seriously? Your life isn’t enough? You aren’t enough? SHTAP THAT STUFF!!

Oh yes you are enough!!! There is plenty to tell the story. You just need to know what story you are telling. A hint: you aren’t trying to figure out what story THEY want to hear. They aren’t you. Only YOU can tell your story. Figure out what YOU want to tell and tell it.

People you have worked with, people you know might read more strongly than roles or shows. Why would that be? Perhaps there’s a human connection there? What a concept…

Where you went to school? But what are you doing now? Who are you working with now?

Now is kind of crucial. Now is effective. That paper may say you have done XYZ, but what can you do NOW? Now is when you are being considered. That’s got to speak more loudly.

What would happen if you even gave a couple of dream roles? Of repertoire you would LOVE to perform one day? Why hasn’t that happened?

“Special Skills” needs a revamp too. It needs to be called something else…”More about me”…ideas? This should be more considerable, and more revealing, not just of skill, but of interests and hobbies, and another things in your life. You should be encouraged to SHARE your life, not hide it.

So, that is a little riffing on resumés, from me to you.

At the end of the day, there is no “right” way. Remember why you are using one. It’s an introduction. Of now. Of YOU. And YOU are a story teller. So, tell your story. Allow your creative juices to lead you into that story and outline it in a way that is accessible and clear, and uniquely and authentically YOU.

Your life is more than your resumé.

Your audition should reveal a taste of what you do.

The rest is in the details.

Happy exploring! Share some ideas with me below - I would love to hear what you are exploring in revealing YOU!